Artwork Description

Markus Amm (b. 1969, German)
Title: Untitled
Date: 2006
Medium: Oil on Canvas Laid to Board
Dimensions: 30 x 23 cm
Signature & Markings: Initialed and dated 03-04-06 on the reverse
Condition Report: Overall good condition, with slight peeling of paint
Provenance: With Thomas Dane Gallery, London; Property of a London collector
Exhibited:

• Very Abstract and Hyper Figurative, Thomas Dane Gallery, London, 15 March – 14 April 2007
  Reverse: Exhibition label affixed

Description:

This luminous oil painting by Markus Amm exemplifies his mastery of abstraction, layering, and texture. Executed in 2006, Untitled features a sophisticated interplay of pastel tones—predominantly ochre, orange, and pale blue—that merge seamlessly with soft whites. The composition is enriched by subtle rectangular textures, creating a dynamic yet ethereal depth. The delicate variations in surface opacity and the controlled use of color contribute to a sense of quiet movement, a hallmark of Amm’s reflective painting process.

Amm’s distinctive technique involves working with thin washes of oil, allowing pigments to diffuse naturally and settle into their forms over time. This organic process results in compositions that feel both deliberate and spontaneous, evoking the fleeting nature of light and atmosphere. His works often explore the boundaries between abstraction and materiality, balancing a painterly softness with structured forms.

Artist Biography:

Markus Amm (b. 1969, Stuttgart, Germany) is an internationally recognized contemporary artist known for his minimalist and abstract compositions. His work investigates the fundamental elements of painting—color, texture, and surface interaction—while embracing both illusionistic and tactile qualities. Since the late 1990s, Amm has been developing a unique approach that fuses traditional oil painting techniques with experimental methods, creating pieces that are simultaneously meditative and conceptually rigorous.

Amm’s work has been exhibited in prestigious galleries and institutions worldwide. His solo exhibitions include:

• Kunsthaus Baselland, Basel, Switzerland (2017)
• Kunstmuseum Stuttgart, Germany (2010)

Notable group exhibitions featuring his work include:

• Spring, Fondation Thalie, Brussels (2021)
• Variations: Conversations in and Around Abstract Painting Today, Los Angeles County Museum of Art (2014)
• Die Geometrie der Dinge, GAK Gesellschaft für Aktuelle Kunst, Bremen, Germany (2013)

Markus Amm’s works continue to be sought after by collectors and institutions, as they represent an ongoing dialogue between form, materiality, and perception. He currently lives and works in Geneva, Switzerland.